PHL, Russia to address overstaying OFWs —Duterte


President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday promised to Overseas Filipino Workers  in Russia that his administration would work on an agreement with the Russian government to ease restrictions on overstaying Pinoys in the federation.
During his meeting with an estimated 10,000-strong Filipino community in Moscow, Duterte said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III is working out an agreement with the Russian government.
“‘Yung ngayon nag-overstay tapos 'yung nagtatago-tago. Alam ng Russia. Russia has a very good government. Efficient 'yan e, alam nila. Pero sabi nila na, ‘Hindi naman kami manghuhuli. We know the problem, your plight, alam namin gaano kahirap sa Pilipinas,’” the president said.
“Ganito lang hingiin ko: spend one or two days, renew your passport and then you reapply here. They would be willing to make an arrangement. Secretary Bello is working on an agreement na kayong nandito overstaying or have had problems, there will be an understanding para luwag –bigyan kayo ng maluwang na ano.”
Duterte also ordered the Philippine Embassy in Russia to allow OFWs there to renew their passport in Moscow rather than require them to return to the Philippines.
The president appealed to OFWs to abide by the laws of Russia to maintain the good relations between the two countries.
“Do not do anything that will jeopardize the relation at maging masama ang tingin nila sa atin. Obey the laws. Follow the procedure. Tutal we are working on a sort of a agreement na mabigyan kayo ng maluwang na –you'd be allowed to stay,” he said.
Duterte also thanked the Russian government and its president Vladimir Putin for its kind treatment of Filipinos “at hindi kayo pinahirapan.” —Julia Mari Ornedo/LBG, GMA News

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